Congress hopefuls file financial reports

WASHINGTON — Arkansas’ four members of the U.S. House of Representatives have a significant financial edge over their opponents in this November’s general election, according to their latest filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Data from each lawmaker’s campaign shows the four Republicans with advantages in fundraising and cash reserves compared to the Democrat candidates. The filed campaign reports for the House candidates cover a period from Feb. 15 to March 31. Arkansas held its primary election March 5.

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., reported raising $182,920 in contributions for his 1st Congressional District race in his latest filing. The campaign spent $21,508.17 during the latest period, with the Jonesboro congressman ending the first quarter of the year with $815,366.50 in cash on hand.

Crawford’s opponent, Democrat Rodney Govens of Cabot, reported raising $7,408.40 with $10,578.36 in operating expenditures. The campaign reported $6,786.23 in its reserves and $18,600 in debts and obligations owed by the committee. Govens, a U.S. Army veteran like Crawford, made four personal loans to his campaign between Oct. 10, 2023, and Dec. 14, 2023.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., who represents the 2nd Congressional District, reported $1,976,232.63 in reserves as of March 31. The Little Rock congressman’s campaign brought in $417,465.48 during the seven weeks and spent $67,435.19. Retired Army Col. Marcus

also of Little Rock, raised $35,230.97 but spent $35,692.37 during the period. Jones campaign reported $25,339.09 in cash on hand.

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., who represents the 3rd Congressional District, raised $412,806.28 and spent $354,921.28 during the period. The Womack for Congress Committee ended the latest filing period with nearly $2.1 million in cash on hand.

Womack, of Rogers, was the only incumbent who faced a primary challenger in the March 5 primary election. State Sen. Clint Penzo, R-Springdale, challenged Womack, painting himself as the more conservative candidate in light of Womack’s refusal to back Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan’s speakership bid in October.

Arkansas’ top Republicans — including congressional colleagues and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders — supported Womack’s reelection bid, as did House Republican leadership.

Womack defeated Penzo with 54% of the vote compared to the state senator’s 46% of the electorate.

The

Penzo for Congress campaign

ended the latest period with $4,924.34 in cash on hand after collecting $27,409.72 and spending $88,318.15 during the reporting span. The campaign additionally noted $30,000 in debts and obligations related to the state’s filing fee for congressional candidates.

a Fayetteville social worker and Womack’s Democrat opponent in the November general election, reported $21,058.50 in contributions and $24,064.10 in operating expenditures. Draper’s campaign additionally noted $20,490.41 in reserves to end the latest reporting period.

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., who represents the 4th Congressional District, had the most cash on hand out of the state’s four incumbent candidates, reporting $2,588,664.27 in reserves at the end of the recent period. Westerman, of Hot Springs, brought in $186,926.22 and spent $43,798.34.

Westerman’s Democratic opponent, Pine Bluff attorney Risi Howard, had not filed a campaign finance report with the FEC as of Tuesday.

Neither of Arkansas’ U.S. senators are candidates in this fall’s election.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., reported $7,533,413.36 in cash on hand. The senator from Little Rock raised $224,383.14 and spent $317,124.95 from Jan. 1 to March 31. His current term will conclude in January 2027.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., reported $1,047,764.59 in his campaign’s reserve. The senator from Rogers raised $94,604.45 and spent $36,461.83 during the last three months. His term expires in January 2029.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who suspended his presidential campaign in January, reported $46,986.59 in disbursements in March, ending the month with $16,043.35 in cash on hand. The campaign noted $42,171.06 in debts and obligations. Hutchinson, a Republican, loaned money to his campaign on six occasions using personal funds.

America Strong and Free Action,

a super PAC supporting Hutchinson’s White House bid, filed a termination report March 27, ending its operations. The committee spent $50,452.20 to cover lingering accounting, consulting and fundraising costs ahead of its closure.